Legal dilemma as Australian returns from 'fighting Islamic State'
Yahoo7 and Agencies
April 5, 2015, 6:00 pm
Former NT Labor leader Matthew Gardiner has reportedly been arrested at Darwin upon returning from Syria battle ground. Photo: Yahoo file
Matthew Gardiner, former president of NT Labor and secretary of the United Voice union, has reportedly been detained at Darwin airport after returning from helping Kurdish fighters against Islamic State militants in the Middle East.
The ABC reports, Mr Gardiner, who left Australia earlier in January, was stopped by customs officials at Darwin Airport this morning after flying from the Middle East via Sweden and Singapore.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed they spoke to a Darwin man who returned to Australia on Sunday morning.
It is understood Mr Gardiner, who has an army background, had travelled to either Iraq or Syria to join Kurdish militants and fight against Islamic State.
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The Kurds have been locked in a bitter battle with IS militants in a bid to reclaim invaded territory.
The AFP would only confirm Mr Gardiner, who left behind his wife and two sons, was the subject of an active investigation.
Mr Gardiner, 43, reportedly served as an Australian Army combat engineer in Somalia in the early 1990s.
A picture of Matthew Gardiner believed to have been from his time serving the Australian Army in Somali in 1993. Photo: Facebook
He was stood down as president and his Labor membership suspended after leaving, according to reports.
A spokesperson for Attorney-General George Brandis said it is illegal for an Australian citizen to fight in Syria for either side of the conflict.
Those who fight illegally in overseas conflicts can face up to life in prison upon their return to Australia.
There are an estimated 100 Australians currently fighting with Kurdish forces.
Ashley Johnston, a former Army Reserve member originally from Queensland, was killed during an assault by Kurdish forces on an IS position near Tel Hamis, in north-eastern Syria, in February.
News break – April 5
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Those who fight illegally in overseas conflicts can face up to life in prison upon their return to Australia.
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